| Begonia manicata | |
|---|---|
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| Close-up of white flowers, which can be pink in some specimens | |
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| Close-up of leaf | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Begoniaceae |
| Genus: | Begonia |
| Species: | B. manicata |
| Binomial name | |
| Begonia manicata | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
List
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Begonia manicata is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Mexico and Central America. [1] It was collected from the Veracruz moist forests by Jean Jules Linden, and later described in 1842. [2] The variety 'Aureo-maculata' has cream variegations in the foliage, [3] and is called the leopard begonia. [4]
Though it's an upright rhizomatous Begonia, so the rhizome grows upwards instead of along the ground. When fill grown, the leaves can grow to 7 or more inches across. The flowers, which can be pink or white, appear in the winter. [2]
The specific epithet manicata means "cuff," and refers to the bands of red hairs at the end of each petiole. In the varietal cognomen, aureo is from aureus, which means "golden," and maculata means "spotted." [2]
Begonia manicata has been used extensively in hybridization. [5] In particular, it is the male parent of the cultivar B. 'Erythrophylla,' (the Beefsteak Begonia) and the female parent of the cultivar B. 'Verschaffeltii.' [2]
